The four UK chief medical officers have agreed the Covid-19 alert level should move from level 4 to level 3, meaning the “epidemic is in general circulation”.
“Thanks to the efforts of the UK public in social distancing and the impact we are starting to see from the vaccination programme, case numbers, deaths and Covid hospital pressures have fallen consistently,” said the four medical officers as well as Prof Stephen Powis, NHS England medical director.
“However Covid is still circulating with people catching and spreading the virus every day so we all need to continue to be vigilant. This remains a major pandemic globally.
“It is very important that we all continue to follow the guidance closely and everyone gets both doses of the vaccine when they are offered it.”
It comes as the Oxford vaccine boss said Britain is in a “very strong position” to move forward with the roadmap, as Boris Johnson prepares to announce the reopening of society later on Monday.
Prof Sir John Bell said: “I do think that we’re in a very strong position to go forward now with fewer restrictions and try and get back to normal… I’m feeling pretty comfortable with where we are at the moment.”
The Prime Minister will brief the nation at 5pm to announce the next phase of the lifting of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.
